Toothbrush head

ABSTRACT

Provided is a toothbrush head which enables a single toothbrush to cope with any individual user&#39;s oral condition. The toothbrush head has bristle bundles, sponge pieces or the like implanted herein as a cleaning element on the bristling surface and contains unbristling areas formed on the bristling surface. Some or all of the bristle bundles are implanted asymmetrically with respect to the major central axis or the minor central axis of the head. The head can contain as separate parts bristling areas having bristle implanted therein and unbristling areas, which are removably attached to the head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a toothbrush head which enablesa single toothbrush to cope with buccal specificity of any individualuser.

[0003] The difficulty and the degree of sufficiency in tooth brushingdiffer depending on various oral conditions including dentition, toothform, occlusion, tongue size and muscles around the mouth which differfrom person to person. Further, the tips of bristles of a toothbrush arebrought into contact with the teeth in different manners between theupper row of teeth and the lower row of teeth or between the right rowof teeth and the left row of teeth depending on characteristics of anindividual user, for example, dextrality or sinistrality and force ofthe user which may differ between male and female. Thus, a toothbrush isused under different conditions.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Meanwhile, conventional toothbrushes are manufactured foreverybody, so that they rarely meet fully specific oral conditions ofindividual users'. Thus, every user cannot clean his or her teethcompletely using a single toothbrush but fail to feel refreshed orsatisfied unless the user uses auxiliary cleaning utensils such asinterdental brush.

[0006] Under such circumstances, contrivances have been made intoothbrushes with respect to bristles to be implanted in the head interms of implanting method, kind of bristles, density, configuration ofbristle tips, etc. However, bundles of bristles are implantedsymmetrically with respect to the major axis (axis in the longitudinaldirection) in each toothbrush at equal intervals.

[0007] However, cleaning of teeth using an auxiliary cleaning utensilmakes the tooth-brushing operation troublesome and can lead to loweringof positive attitude to tooth-brushing or reduction of tooth-brushingfrequency. In spite of the contrivances made in the conventionaltoothbrushes in terms of the method of implanting bristles, the kind ofbristles, etc., the conventional toothbrushes fail to achieve sufficientintraoral cleaning. In addition, it can happen that the bristlesimplanted in the head injure teeth and gums.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Therefore, the present invention is directed to providing atoothbrush head which enables a single toothbrush to cope with oralconditions of any individual user as much as possible.

[0009] In order to solve the problems described above, the gist of thepresent invention is to provide a toothbrush head having bristle bundlesimplanted in it on the bristling surface thereof, characterized in thatthe head contains an unbristling area defined on the bristling surface.

[0010] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that some or all ofthe bristle bundles are implanted asymmetrically with respect to themajor central axis of the head.

[0011] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that some or all ofthe bristle bundles are implanted asymmetrically with respect to theminor central axis of the head.

[0012] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that it has asseparate parts a bristling area having a bristle bundle implantedtherein and an unbristling area, and these parts are removably attachedto the head.

[0013] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that it is bent atthe distal end thereof.

[0014] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that the head isattached to the neck of a toothbrush so that it pivots with respect tothe neck.

[0015] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that a sponge-likecleaning element is implanted therein on the bristling surface in placeof the bristle bundles.

[0016] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings illustrated by way of examples the principles ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention together with the objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription of the presently preferred embodiments together with theaccompanying drawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a toothbrush head according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing another exemplary toothbrush headaccording to the first embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a toothbrush head according to asecond embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another exemplary toothbrush headaccording to the second embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a toothbrush head according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are plan views each showing a toothbrush headaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the toothbrush head of the presentinvention showing the state where teeth are cleaned therewith; FIG. 8 isa schematic view of the toothbrush head of the present invention alsoshowing the state where teeth are brushed therewith;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the toothbrush head of the presentinvention also showing the state where teeth are brushed therewith;

[0026] FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory drawings each showing amethod of implanting bristle bundles in the head;

[0027]FIG. 11 is an explanatory drawing showing another method ofimplanting bristle bundles in the head;

[0028]FIG. 12 is an explanatory drawing showing another method ofimplanting bristle bundles in the head;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the head having sponge piecesimplanted therein on the upper surface thereof;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a partial side view of the head having bundles ofsponge slivers implanted therein on the upper surface thereof;

[0031]FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the head having dense mass offine fibers implanted therein on the upper surface thereof;

[0032]FIG. 16 is a drawing explaining a method of implanting spongepieces in the head; and

[0033]FIG. 17 is a drawing explaining other methods of implantingbundles of sponge pieces in the head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The toothbrush head according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below referring to the attacheddrawings.

[0035]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a bristling surface of a toothbrushhead according to the first embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 2 is a plan view showing another exemplary toothbrush head of thefirst embodiment.

[0036] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the head 10 formed atthe distal end of a neck 30 of a toothbrush contains a multiplicity ofholes 12 defined on a bristling surface 11 (a surface of the head wherebristle bundles are to be implanted), and a bristle bundle 20 isimplanted in each hole 12. The holes 12 are defined on the bristlingsurface 11 of the head 10 so that they are arranged in the axialdirection symmetrically with respect to the major central axis 15 exceptfor the central area formed as an unbristling area 13 (an area where nobristle bundles are to be implanted).

[0037] In this embodiment, as well as, in other embodiments to bedescribed below, while no bristles are implanted in the unbristling area13, the unbristling area 13 is not limited to this configuration butincludes those cases where the unbristling area 13 has short bristlesimplanted therein such that they do not interfere with actions of thebristle bundles 20. The actions of the bristle bundles 20 will bedescribed later.

[0038] In another example of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, thebristle bundles 20 are implanted in the holes 12 symmetrically withrespect to the major central axis of the head 10. However, what isdifferent from the above embodiment is the manner of forming unbristlingareas 13.

[0039] In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the head 10 has holes 12defined on the bristling surface 11 thereof asymmetrically with respectto the major central axis 15 and bristle bundles implanted therein withunbristling areas 13 being formed irregularly between the bristlebundles 20.

[0040] In another example of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, thehead 10 has holes 12 defined on the bristling surface 11 thereofasymmetrically with respect to the minor central axis 16 and bristlebundles 20 implanted therein with unbristling areas 13 being formedirregularly between bristle bundles 20.

[0041] The implanting method used in the first and second embodiments isto define holes 12 at predetermined positions on the bristling surface11 of the head 10 depending on dentition and other oral conditions of anindividual user, and then to implant bristle bundles 20 in these holes12.

[0042] There is another method employable here to define holes 12 partlyor entirely over the bristling surface 11 of the head 10, as shown inFIG. 5 and then to implant bristle bundles 20 selectively inpredetermined holes 12.

[0043] Otherwise, bristle bundles 20 may be implanted in all of theseholes 12, and a dentist and the like may pull out predetermined bundles20 to define unbristling areas 13 on the head depending on the oralcondition of an individual user.

[0044] Further, in a head 10 a shown in FIG. 6(a), the head 10 a is bentat the distal end portion horizontally rightward or leftward withrespect to the major central axis 15. This head 10 a can cope moreexactly with dentition and other specific tooth conditions of anindividual user.

[0045] When a toothbrush is used, the head 10 a is normally insertedthrough the lips into the buccal cavity diagonally with respect to theplane of occlusion. More specifically, the bristles of the toothbrushare brought into contact with teeth and gums diagonally. Therefore, itis necessary to implant bristles diagonally (asymmetrically) in the heador to change the angle of at least a part of the head with respect tothe neck of the toothbrush so as to compensate for the contact angle ofthe bristles and to bring them into contact with the surfaces of teethand of gums at right angle.

[0046] Another head 10 b shown in FIG. 6(b) is fixed to a neck 30 of atoothbrush with a pivot 30 a so that the head 10 b can entirely bepivoted horizontally rightward or leftward with respect to the majorcentral axis 15. This head 10 b can cope more exactly with dentition andother specific tooth conditions of an individual user.

[0047] The manner of cleaning teeth with the toothbrush head 10 havingthe constitution as described above will be described referring to theschematic views shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0048]FIG. 7 shows a state where the rear side (distal portion) 82 a ofthe distal molar tooth 82 is being cleaned. Here, the fore bristlebundles 21 on the head 10 are brought into contact with the rear side 82a to enable cleaning of it.

[0049] More specifically, since the conventional toothbrushes have nounbristling areas 13 but have bristles implanted therein entirely overthe bristling surface, the bristles present in the area corresponding tothe unbristling areas 13 of the present invention are brought intocontact with the upper surface of the tooth 82 to urge the head 10upward and prevent the fore bristle bundles from coming deep downward,so that the tips of the fore bristle bundles cannot reach fully thelower end of the rear side 82 a.

[0050] However, by virtue of the unbristling area 13 formed in thisembodiment, the fore bristle bundles 21 on the head 10 can reach thelower end of the rear side 82 a of the tooth 82 to achieve sufficientcleaning thereof.

[0051]FIG. 8 shows the plane of occlusion of the molar teeth 80, 81 and82, where the rear side 82 a of the distal molar tooth 82 and the gap 81a between the tooth 82 and the tooth 81 (adjoining portions) are beingcleaned. Here again, the fore bristle bundles 21 of the head 10 arebrought into contact with the rear side 82 a to enable cleaning of it,while the tips of the rear bristle bundles 22 are intruding into the gap81 a between the tooth 81 and the tooth 82 to clean it.

[0052] It can be appreciated from FIG. 8 that, by virtue of the presenceof the unbristling area, the fore bristle bundles 21 and the rearbristle bundles 22 on the head 10 can clean the rear side 82 a of thetooth 82 and the gap 81 a between the teeth, respectively.

[0053]FIG. 9 shows actions of side bristle bundles 23 and 24 on the head10, where the bristle bundles 23 and 24 are cleaning the gap (pocket) 83a present between the tooth 83 and the tooth 84. It can be appreciatedhere again that, by virtue of the presence of the unbristling area 13,the tips of the side bristle bundles 23 on the head 10 can clean the gap83 a between the tooth 83 and the tooth 84.

[0054] As described above, in the toothbrush head according to thisembodiment, tips of bristles can be allowed to reach those areas whichfail to be brought into contact with bristles of conventionaltoothbrushes depending on the way of using a toothbrush by an individualuser such as lateral faces of molar teeth and gaps between them. Thus,if a dentist or the like finds a user's weak point in tooth brushing orunbrushed zones of teeth and then provides the user with a toothbrushwith an optimum head having bristle bundles implanted asymmetrically,the user can overcome the difference to be caused depending ondextrality and sinistrality and weak points.

[0055] Next, methods of implanting bristle bundles will be describedreferring to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0056]FIG. 10(a) shows a method of securing bristle bundles 20 eachhaving a base 20 a in holes 12 defined beforehand in the head 10. Thereare some conceivable manners, one is to fit the base 20 a of eachbristle bundle 20 in the hole 12 and to secure it therein, and anotheris to bring each base 20 a into screw engagement with the hole 12.

[0057]FIG. 10(b) shows three methods of securing bristle bundles 20 inthe holes 12 b, 12 c and 12 d, respectively.

[0058] The left side hole 12 b in FIG. 10(b) is widening downward, whilethe base 20 b of the bristle bundle 20 is designed to have aconfiguration such that it can be engaged with the hole 12 b.

[0059] The middle hole 12 c has a cylindrical form, and the base 20 c ofthe bristle bundle 20 is designed to have a configuration such that itcan be engaged with the hole 12 c. In this case, the base 20 c may haveon the lower surface thereof a fixing plate (not shown) which is largerthan the bottom of the base 20 c.

[0060] The right hole 12 d shown in FIG. 10(b) is widening upward, andthe base 20 d of the bristle bundle 20 is designed to have aconfiguration such that it can be engaged with the hole 12 d.

[0061] The bases 20 b, 20 c and 20 d having the configurations describedabove are secured in the holes 12 b, 12 c and 12 d defined in the heads10, respectively, by means of fitting or screw engagement.

[0062] Another head 10 shown in FIG. 11 has a gridiron framework 52formed on the surface thereof, and is provided with blocks 51 eachcontaining a hole 12, which are prepared as separate parts. These blocks51 are each fitted in the sections of the framework 52, and then abristle bundle 20 is secured in each hole 12. Of course, a bristlebundle 20 may be implanted beforehand in the hole 12 in each block 51.

[0063] In this case, some sections have no block 51 fitted therein toconstitute unbristling areas 53.

[0064] Another head 10 shown in FIG. 12 has parallel frame members 62 ona surface of the head 10, and is provided with oblong blocks 61 whichare prepared as separate parts each containing holes 12 at desiredpositions. Each block 61 is fitted between a pair of frame members 62,and then a bristle bundle 20 is secured in each hole 12 of the block 61.It is of course possible to implant beforehand a bristle bundle 20 ineach hole 12 of the blocks 61.

[0065] Further, in this case, no block 61 may be fitted between acertain pair of frame members 62 to define an unbristling area 63.However, some blocks 61 may have both bristling areas and unbristlingareas 63 depending on the number and positions of the holes 12 to bedefined therein.

[0066] The heads 10 and 10 a described in the above embodiments areemployable not only in ordinary toothbrushes but also in ultrasonicpower toothbrushes.

[0067]FIG. 13 shows a head 10 having rectangular sponge pieces 90implanted therein as a sponge-like cleaning element in place of bristlebundles 20.

[0068] According to this example, the surfaces of the sponge pieces 90are brought into face contact with teeth and gums, so that they scarcelyirritate and injure the teeth and gums compared with bristle bundles 20,and the area of contact increases, effectively

[0069] The sponge-like cleaning element is one directed to obtainingcleaning or massaging effects and is formed using an artificial materialsuch as an elastic or anelastic polymeric material or a naturallyoccurring material and by allowing such a material to assume the form ofporous sponge or by cutting finely a silicone material and the like toobtain an assembly of slivers which as a whole look like a lump.

[0070] Since such cleaning elements are soft and can be brought intocontact with teeth with an appropriate pressure, they can reach everynook and corner in the mouth without applying excessive stimulationthereto.

[0071]FIG. 14 also shows another example of sponge-like cleaningelement, in which the sponge piece 90 is cut at suitable intervals toform an assembly 91 of sponge slivers 901. The sponge slivers 901 cancope with any configuration or irregularity of teeth and gums moreexactly to exhibit improved cleaning effect.

[0072] In a head shown in FIG. 15, fine fibers are implanted densely inthe head 10 in place of bristles 20 to form dense masses 92 of fibers.According to this example, since the tips of the fine fibers constitutea surface of the dense mass 92 as if it has no gaps thereon, the surfaceof each dense mass 92 can be brought into face contact with teeth andgums to scarcely irritate and injure the teeth and gums compared withbristle bundles 20. The dense mass of fibers 92 may be formed byimplanting ultra fine fibers thickly on the upper surface of the head 10or by securing a rectangular material on the upper surface of the head10 and cutting it from above to form a dense mass of fibers.

[0073] Next, FIGS. 16 and 17 show methods of securing sponge pieces 90to the head 10, and explanations of them will be omitted, since thesponge pieces 93 and 94 are implanted in the same manner as describedreferring to the examples shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), except thatthe bristle bundles 20 are merely replaced with the sponge pieces 93 and94, respectively.

[0074] Further, the assembly 91 of sponge slivers 901 formed by cuttinga sponge piece 90 at suitable intervals as shown in FIG. 14 or the densemass 92 of fine fibers as shown in FIG. 15 can also be secured to thehead 10 likewise.

[0075] As described above, the toothbrush heads of the embodiments ofthe present invention consider dextrality or sinistrality and otherspecificity of an individual user, as well as, loss of teeth, to enablea single toothbrush to exhibit improved cleaning effect and also toprevent harmful effects that the conventional toothbrushes frequentlygive.

[0076] Points of cleaning teeth include gaps (pockets) between teeth,distal portions and adjoining portions. Meanwhile, auto-purification islikely to occur on the face of occlusion and axial faces. Although it isnaturally possible to brush every nook and corner of teeth with a smallconverged brush, it takes a tremendous time and is inefficient too.

[0077] In view of these circumstances, according to the toothbrush headsof the embodiments of the present invention, toothbrushes can be usedstably due to the difference in the density of bristles to be implantedand also due to the presence of unbristling areas, and thus tips ofbristles can reach any portion of teeth to be cleaned, enabling a singletoothbrush to cope with any individual user's specificity by selectivelyimplanting bristles at desired positions.

[0078] If the toothbrush head of this embodiment is divided into aplurality of head segments as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,120, thehead can be provided with three or more functional segments such as anaction concentrating segment, a head stabilizing segment and a cleaningsegment, and thus a single toothbrush can achieve improvement of oralcondition.

[0079] Further, the unbristling area formed at the center of the headhelps stabilization of the head against teeth with a small force to beapplied to bristles compared with that to be applied to bristlesimplanted in the head entirely over a surface thereof. Thus, anexcessive force if applied to the head can be dispersed to enable theaction concentrating segment to be in more intimate contact with teeth.

[0080] As has been described heretofore, according to the presentinvention, since the positions of implanting bristle bundles, the sizeand number of bristle bundles, type of bristle tip, thickness ofbristles, etc. can be selected or changed freely depending on anindividual user's oral condition. Thus, any user can achieve cleaningwithin the buccal cavity using a single toothbrush having such a head.

[0081] Besides, a single type of toothbrush can be adjusted depending onan individual user, and a single type of bristle can be utilized invarious manners in terms of effect, force to be applied etc. by definingareas depending on the purpose, leading to saving of materials andreduction in cost.

[0082] Further, in the case where sponge pieces or dense masses of finefibers are implanted in the head as a cleaning element in place ofbristle bundles, they can not only prevent effectively injury of teethand gums but also exhibit massaging effects.

[0083] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be embodied in many other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, itshould be understood that the invention may be embodied in the followingforms. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notto be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A head of a toothbrush having bristle bundlesimplanted in it on a bristling surface thereof, the head comprising anunbristling area defined on the bristling surface.
 2. A head of atoothbrush having bristle bundles implanted in it on a bristling surfacethereof, wherein some or all of the bristle bundles are implantedasymmetrically with respect to a major central axis of the head.
 3. Ahead of a toothbrush having bristle bundles implanted in it on abristling surface thereof, wherein some or all of the bristle bundlesare implanted asymmetrically with respect to a minor central axis of thehead.
 4. A head of a toothbrush comprising as separate parts a bristlingarea having a bristle bundle implanted therein and an unbristling area,which are removably attached to the head.
 5. The head of a toothbrushaccording to any of claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein the head is bent at adistal end thereof.
 6. The head of a toothbrush according to any ofclaims 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein the head is attached to a neck of thetoothbrush so that it pivots with respect to the neck.
 7. The head of atoothbrush according to any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, whereinsponge-like cleaning element is implanted therein on the bristlingsurface in place of the bristle bundles.